Loading Extra Large Boxes on Pallets

This example explains how to use the different pallet calculation settings and overhang to ship extra large boxes that otherwise wouldn't be able to be shipped on pallets. We have two types of large boxes that we want to ship on standard 48x40" pallets. The box dimensions are the following:

• 56x20x20 inches
• 61x18x15 inches

The data can be entered manually or downloaded through the following spreadsheet.

The first step is to run Quick Pallet Maker and open a new document window From Box to Pallet. Next, we make sure that the units we are using are inches and pounds. This can be done by right-clicking the text at the bottom right corner of the window or by using the Tools -> Units -> in/lbs command. Then we copy and paste the box data from the spreadsheet or enter the values manually. The input window should look like the image below.

After that, we select the Tools - Calculate Box Shipment command.

We should get a message saying that the boxes could not be palletized. That's because the dimensions are bigger than the available space.

The results window should look like the image below.

So we go back with the Tools - Change Data command and select both boxes in the list. Then we check the Length and Width checkboxes in the Dimensions Allowed Vertical to Pallet section.

When we calculate again, we will get one pallet with the red boxes standing up, but with another message saying that we weren't able to include the blue boxes.

So we go back to the input window and check the Optimize Sections checkbox.

Now, when we calculate again, we will get two pallets with the boxes standing up. This may not be the optimal solution so we go back to the input window.

And there we will increase the maximum allowable length to a value bigger than the longest box.

When we calculate again, we're able to obtain a more stable pallet with 6 items and a smaller one with 2 items. But there's still another option to test, so we can go back to the input window.

We can also increase the maximum load height from 70 inches to 90 inches (enough to fit in a 20' container) and calculate again.

The final result shows all the 8 items on a single pallet.

Watch the video

This example is also available as a YouTube video.